An amalgamation of noise, drone, field recordings, dub techno and industrial memories. Vivid soundscapes are sculpted from subtle sounds and disheartening din.
Testtoon Records has been gaining attention. Scrolling through DJ charts and recommended rolls by artists last year Red Stars Over Tokyo featured across a number of “must listen” lists. The Belgian label is already getting noticed for its next release, its first of 2014. Oubys aka Wannes Kolf was the artist that started Testtoon, his 12” and album opening the industrial and ambient doors. The Hasselt artist is returning with the SQM Part I.
Immediately Kolf sinks beneath the water level. Modular waves wash, ebbing and flowing for the burbling clicks of “SQM Motmc.” Oubys emerges by an electric shoreline. Tides lap. Winds sweep. Clouds build. Night breaks and stars beam for the fragile “Arp on Arp.” That delicateness is broken by the electric shattering of “STE-023.” An organic seam runs through the album, thick reverberating bars coursing with a subdued and primal energy. “Crouch End Harmony” breathes and bulges, a sub-aquatic audio reptile of sinister intent. The Woody McBride titled “Acid Bitch” and, like Mr McBride’s music, it has, somewhat of, a dance-floor quality to it. Beats sink, but are present, as percussion is drowned in bass. Melodies spike, surfacing before diving back into the muddied depths.
SQM Part I is an amalgamation of noise, drone, field recordings, dub techno and industrial memories. Vivid soundscapes are sculpted from subtle sounds and disheartening din. Machines paint rich and textured scenes, reviving spirits before dashing hope against the rocks. Music for muted moods from Belgium’s heartland.
SQM Part I is available on Testtoon.
